Re: My baby's leaving home... 10/13/05 update
Water got in motor and top cylinder is badly scored. Compression down to 30psi from 140. Both cylinders show water damage. I have drained the carbs, the fuel line, checked the vro tank and gas tank. I can't find water anywhere. Even the new fuel filter is clean as a whistle. And the fuel in the carbs is colored by the oil, so the VRO was still pumping away. The only clue I have is that one head bolt on each cylinder has corrosion on the shaft of the bolt where it passes through the gasket. Also shows some rust and blistered paint on head of both bolts. I am guessing that the head gasket started to leak because it started to idle rough on the previous two trips, then started to run warm on last trip (122*, not really hot, and not hot enough to trip alarm, but hotter than normal) so I removed the thermostat thinking it was not opening full because it was still pumping water great but the temp was up about 15* higher than normal. Temp dropped and I headed back to marina at 1/2 throttle and a few hundred yards away it lost major power and I idled in shaking and rattling. Guess the water steams the wee bit of oil right off the cylinder and friction takes its toll!<br /><br />I am very annoyed at this "development" because the motor was running so well. I was kicking myself for letting water get in the gas, but I feel vindicated now that I just can't find water anywhere.<br /><br />Rebuilder said to send him back the fully dressed power head for inspection. Even though it is one year out of warranty, he said they would compensate me if it was a mechanical failure or workmanship issue. I counted the trips we took and estimated the total run time on that motor to be no more than 40 hrs over two seasons. <br /><br />Anyway, complete rebuild on power head returned fully dressed with rebuilt carbs is $1150. The shipping was more than expected, the box weighs 105 lbs, plus a $5 extra handling charge for wood crate (can you believe that?). Total shipping one way......$88 bucks from NJ to western PA. Ouch! (Same box, if it weighed 75lbs would be $39, UPS really sticks you for the extra 30 lbs.) <br /><br />Luckily for us it died toward the end of vacation so we got a week and a half of daily use out of it. I had just raced like crazy to get the convertible top done just for that vacation trip. Wife actually felt bad for me and suggested I get the motor repaired asap and we will work out the money later. (She is such a good wife!) She was really enjoying the boat now that there was a top on it.<br /><br />If I get the motor back in a week or so, I may have time to break it in on a local lake, then do the Hudson River trip I promissed my God Son and his Dad and brother. <br /><br />I am learning... the hard way. Next time the motor acts up, I'll just call for a tow and save the rebuild costs.<br /><br />Chief, I cut and hand fit the 1 1/2" pink foam board in the second picture into the crate. Motor is in there tight. You can see some foam in the hand hole. I hope it doesn't get dropped and split box open. It is insured. Keeping my fingers crossed.
<br />Like my packing labels? Made the arrow and glass in MS Paint, then pasted picture into Word for text. Hope they don't get wet or the ink will run worse than Tammy Fay Bakers mascara during a press conference!
